Aptilo Networks has announced the launch of Aptilo IoT Connectivity Control Service (IoT CCS), which enables mobile operators to deliver rapid IoT service creation while at the same time allowing enterprise customers to define their own granular connectivity and security policies.
Aptilo says that IoT CCS will work with both the existing mobile core, as well as emerging service-based 5G core (5GC) architectures, and will be delivered as a service.
Outlining the challenge that IoT CCS is designed to solve, CEO Paul Mikkelsen notes that mobile operators have designed their core network for just a handful of subscription types using a limited number of predefined policies. In contrast, IoT customers often require a highly customisable and unique subscription that involves complex and dynamic connectivity and security policies. Operators are therefore faced with either using their existing mobile core and supporting just a few uniform IoT connectivity services; or adding a dedicated mobile core for IoT that is capable of handling highly customisable, complex and dynamic policies (which involves extra cost and time to deliver). He argues that neither option is ideal.
Instead, Aptilo advocates a third way. By adding a connectivity control and security layer for IoT services on top of the existing mobile core, Mikkelsen says that mobile operators can deliver innovative IoT connectivity services in a matter of days rather than months, and at a far lower cost.
This means business customers – rather than their operators – can define and control the services they need. They will also receive real-time and historic insights into their IoT connectivity, along with additional security features such as VPN tunnels and policy enforcement, device traffic filtering and DDoS protection.
Aptilo’s service also allows mobile operators to add international mobile operator partners to support global connectivity and roaming for IoT use cases. Mikkelsen says that when combined with their ability to localise eSIM cards (eUICC) over-the-air, and utilising Aptilo’s CCS multitenancy virtual APN, operators will be able to offer secure international connectivity with optional local break-out for selected traffic and no roaming charges.
Meanwhile, the enterprise customer only has to handle one unified eSIM card and one VPN connection, helping them save on logistics and administration costs.
“The Aptilo IoT CCS service delivers the scalability and flexibility necessary for operators to rapidly innovate in the IoT era, enabling business models that were previously considered unthinkable,” comments Mikkelsen.
Omnisperience’s view
This type of solution has the potential to be a win-win for mobile operators and their enterprise customers by enabling operators to deliver a better IoT service at a lower cost, but also by stopping them from becoming a blocker to IoT innovation. By allowing enterprises to define their own policies and service needs, mobile operators are able to ensure services are customised and delivered according to the needs and speeds of their customers. This opens up the IoT innovation funnel, enhances the customer experience, and helps position the mobile operator in a very strong position in the value chain.